Black Killer Whale Baby - Chapter 302

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Side Story: Act 27
The incident traces back approximately three days.
Three days prior. Daytime.
“What, you were hiding something like this?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
In the grand audience chamber of Aquasiade Castle, only my husbands, family, and key retainers including Lirivel had gathered.
I stared at the object before me with bewildered eyes.
At first glance, it merely resembled an enormous boulder. It appeared utterly ordinary.
Yet apparently, this was a ‘bomb.’
“Our narwhal detection device caught it.”
The one presenting was Atlant’s friend, the narwhal beastkin ‘Levin’ who now led the narwhals.
“The exterior appears completely innocuous, but inside there’s an extraordinarily complex mechanism installed.”
Levin extended his hand. In his palm lay an object resembling the massive boulder, but miniaturized to a fraction of its size.
Levin hurled it toward an empty area. Then he pressed a button on the black device held in his other hand.
“When the one holding the remote moves, it happens like this.”
Boom!
A small explosion erupted in midair.
It was merely a scaled-down fireworks display. But if that were an enormous bomb?
‘The casualties would be considerable.’
I narrowed my eyes.
Masters of invention—the narwhal beastkin.
I had gathered the renowned intelligent seal beastkin, several dolphin beastkin, and a few orca beastkin to establish an agency.
Since the declaration of martial law, they had accomplished remarkable things.
“How many of these exist?”
“That is…”
Upon hearing the number Levin stated, several retainers swallowed hard.
“Only the monkeys possess the capability to craft such inhumane yet ingenious weapons.”
“Fortunate we discovered it before detonation.”
I sat upon the imperial throne and tapped the armrest rhythmically.
“The monkey city has fallen and the primary culprits are nearly all dead.”
“Not all of them are dead.”
“True. And… we might consider that their legacy was taken by Heila’s faction.”
Silence permeated the audience chamber.
“In any case, we discovered this thanks to everyone’s vigilance. That’s cause for celebration. Continue reporting any unusual developments.”
“Yes!”
“Agenor, manage the prisoners and detainees well.”
“…Of course.”
Agenor’s eyes darkened with intensity.
He clearly felt responsible for Heila’s corpse disappearing from the prison.
With his strong pride, consolation would only encourage sleepless nights. Instead of offering hollow comfort, I simply nodded in acknowledgment.
After reporting the unusual circumstances, the meeting was adjourned.
Rather than return to my office, I made my way to the garden.
I had dismissed all those who tried to follow me. I needed time to think alone.
‘Various matters have surfaced, but nothing decisive yet.’
While I was deep in contemplation, I sensed a presence. Turning my head, I found a young man with a gentle smile standing there.
“Ruga?”
Ruga’s eyes curved upward in a playful greeting.
“I wondered if you might need some tea.”
Seeing him move with the practiced grace of a seasoned retainer, I let out a soft laugh.
“How long have you been standing there?”
“Quite some time, I’m afraid.”
Looking at that spring-like face, I found myself smiling freely as well.
“I must have been quite absorbed. I didn’t even sense your presence.”
“My presence?”
I nodded and closed my eyes, a wave of fatigue washing over me as I tilted my head back.
“Yes. I was concentrating on my thoughts, but there’s another reason too.”
I spoke with my eyes still closed.
“I can never quite sense the presence of those I trust. Since I know they won’t strike at my back, I’ve let my guard down completely.”
“…”
There was no response. Since I hadn’t been seeking one, silence settled between us for a moment.
“Shall I bring the tea?”
“No need. I’m comfortable enough as things are.”
Ruga and Ruba—the Orca Twins—were connections I had only made in this fourth cycle, after all.
They held great significance as symbols of my present. I lifted the corners of my lips.
“Our daughter must be clinging to you. I’m surprised you managed to slip away.”
“Ruba is the one being held captive. By Lulu.”
Ah.
Lulu was Ruba’s son. He was a beautiful young boy like a doll, bearing a striking resemblance to his mother, a fellow Orca Beastkin.
“The two of them are close friends?”
“They are indeed.”
The relationship between Cali and Lulu was perhaps not unlike my own relationship with the Lugaluba Twins when I was young.
“I hope they remain good friends.”
“Well, it’s hard to say what might happen as they grow older.”
“Why?”
“Because Lulu has feelings for the Princess.”
I opened my eyes. Ruga was smiling softly.
“What? I had no idea.”
“That’s understandable. Your Majesty does tend to be rather… oblivious in such matters.”
“You mean to say I’m insensitive, but you’re too polite to put it that way?”
Ruga merely smiled without answering, and I shrugged, acknowledging he wasn’t wrong.
“Anyway, I approve. Will I get to see a cute son-in-law?”
“The Princess must be pleased with me first.”
“Our daughter takes after her mother, so I see her face often.”
“…Was it my fault…?”
It was such a quiet whisper that I didn’t catch it. Wondering what he said, I lifted my gaze.
I saw a dejected expression.
But soon after, he smiled at me again. It was an innocent face.
“Can a friend become a lover?”
“Well… I suppose it’s possible?”
From what I know, Lulu is one of Cali’s favorite friends.
Besides, there’s been talk of marrying Ruga or not, but since Lulu resembles Ruga so much.
Isn’t that basically saying he’ll marry Lulu soon?
“I think there will be many obstacles for my nephew.”
“Is that so?”
“But I hope he overcomes them. It would become a beacon of hope.”
“Hope, no less.”
I laughed aloud.
“Well, if a friend becomes a lover, that would be wonderful. Knowing each other so well. That truly seems beautiful.”
Ruga laughed once more without answering, his eyes unchanged from childhood.
“Your Majesty, I have something to tell you.”
That night, Atlant approached quietly and spoke to me. I happened to be with not only Ekion, with whom I had something to discuss, but also Tus.
Atlant glanced sideways at Ekion.
“This works out well. I’d like you to listen in with this dragon servant, or rather, dragon.”
* * *
‘After hearing the report… it was fine until we went to the cave where Atlant said he felt something strange.’
Atlant was the one with the sharpest instincts among my retainers.
So I had anticipated he would accomplish something.
But the moment I faced the cave he guided me to, I knew this was no ordinary matter.
“This won’t do. Go back and bring Levai and everyone else who thinks.”
“Yes, then…”
“Calypso!”
With Ekion’s urgent voice, which I rarely heard.
Everything before my eyes went dark.
The last thing I saw was definitely a golden shimmer.
‘Tsk, we moved in secret in case Heila had her schemes.’
It seems moving in secret with just the four of us was the source of trouble.
‘Where is this place?’
And I opened my eyes in a strange place.
No, is “strange” the right word to use?
Before my eyes was a familiar building and landscape. And Ruga’s young childhood face, tilting his head in confusion.
“Am I really nine years old…?”
It was absurd.
Was I dreaming?
I didn’t even die—why did I come to the past?!
‘This is so unfair, damn it!’
Yet on the other hand, I was judging the situation with surprising composure. What good would panicking do?
‘This must be something similar to what Cali experienced.’
Yes, because my daughter had gone through this, I could face it with cold reason.
Then Ekion would notice this was the same situation and take measures. Besides, I had capable people like Levai and Whale nearby. There was no problem.
And I couldn’t ignore the experience from my fourth life either. Damn.
“Yes, Noble Lady is nine years old!”
I’d already asked five times, but this kind orca twin answered with a bright smile, showing not a hint of annoyance.
I lifted my hand and stroked her head.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“Oh! No, thank you. Hehe.”
The child’s white cheeks flushed a pretty pink. Such a cute face.
I stopped stroking and tilted my head.
‘Was the height difference this much when I was nine?’
It had been more than ten years ago.
Besides, when I was nine, so many incidents happened that I didn’t spend much time with the Lugaluba twins.
From what I remember, I went to the Dragon’s city and beat up those black panthers.
My father collapsed, and I treated him….
‘Wait, so what time is it now?’
I suddenly lifted my head.
‘If it’s around the time Father collapsed, isn’t this dangerous?’
I looked at Ruga.
“Sorry, but I need to go check on something first.”
“Oh, Noble Lady!”
Ruga said she’d come with me and followed along. I gave a vague nod and set off.
If I went to the building where Father lived, Ekion would surely be there too.
‘Whatever. I’ll resolve this faster than expected.’
Unaware that I would soon realize a grave mistake, I ran forward.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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